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Tribute to Dr. Molly Macauley

It is Space Policy’s honor to present this tribute to our slain Editorial Board Member Dr. Molly Macauley. The senseless murder of Dr. Macauley has left her friends and loved ones stunned, robbing not only the field of environmental economics, but the nation, of one of its brightest stars.

The abrupt ending of her life deprives us of her forthcoming brilliance but her seminal body of work will indisputably assist in shaping the future.

This Virtual Special Issue of Space Policy is presented in honor of Dr. Molly Macauley, Vice President for Research and Senior Fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) and a member of Space Policy’s Editorial Board since 1993.

Molly’s life was tragically taken by an unknown assailant on July 8, 2016 while she was walking her dogs near her home in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore, MD. She was 59. The police have no suspects and no motive in her death as of the time of this publication.

An economist who specialized in satellite and space program issues, Molly was an integral part of the national and international space policy community for more than 30 years. She began her professional career as a policy analyst at the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) from 1979-1983 while earning advanced degrees in economics at Johns Hopkins University. After receiving her doctorate in 1983, she joined RFF, a research organization that conducts independent research on environmental, energy, and natural resources issues, especially their economics and other social science aspects. She spent the remainder of her career there, rising up through the organization’s ranks to the position of Vice President for Research. For many of those years (1989-2008), she also was a visiting professor of economics at John Hopkins University.

Over the years, Molly served on many boards and committees in addition to the Space Policy Editorial Board. Among them were the Science Advisory Board of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Board of Advisors for the College of William and Mary (her alma mater for her undergraduate degree in economics), the Board of Directors of the American Astronautical Society, and the Board of Directors and the scholarship committee of Women in Aerospace. She also was a trustee-at-large of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), and a member of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB) and later of the Space Studies Board (SSB) of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and served on numerous Academies study committees.

Molly was widely published including 14 articles for this journal. Elsevier offers those articles herein to share her renowned expertise with the space policy community and in recognition of her dedication to the journal over more than two decades.

While a private person, Molly delighted in bringing out the best in others. She had a strong professional and ethical compass that valued clear-eyed analysis. She also had feeling for human failings that she believed could be overcome by reasoned and respectful dialogue. Molly’s husband, Will Sheppard, died in 2003. She is survived by her life partner, Lee Lasky, her uncle, Robert Macauley, several cousins, and many friends. She was devoted to her dogs, Leo and Wilga, and supported animal rescue charities in her community.

Members of the Editorial Board and others in the space policy community who knew Molly especially well have written the following tributes that clearly convey not only her remarkable professional contributions throughout her career, but what a wonderful person she was and a friend and mentor to so many.

Marcia Smith and Scott Pace
North American Editor and Editorial Board member
Space Policy

Tributes to Dr. Molly Macauley from Her Friends and Colleagues

FROM FRANCES BROWN

Molly Macauley, who had been a member of Space Policy’s editorial board since 1993, was probably the journal’s most constant contributor, reviewer and supporter. The articles she published, several in her specialist area of economics, but many covering space science and remote sensing and their application to environmental issues, or solar power from space as a response to climate change, reflected her concern for the practical use of space to improve life on Earth. It is no surprise that she spent her working life at a non-profit organization, the think-tank Resources for the Future.

Molly’s reviews of submitted articles were always detailed and thoughtful, full of praise or constructive criticism, as appropriate; even when an article needed to be rejected she would supply detailed comments as to why this was so. Such support for authors was also evident in the way she encouraged younger colleagues to submit to the journal or to be her co-authors.

We only met twice but hit it off immediately and I always felt that Molly was a friend as much as a colleague. We regularly exchanged tales of horse riding exploits, gardening prowess and our shared love of music. She was over the moon when I sent her a tape of a radio broadcast my choir had made, praising it perhaps more than it deserved. And when a plant I’d bought at a sale started producing a pumpkin – against the odds in Scotland – I knew she was the one to turn to for advice. Both its nurture and the cooking of it benefited from her knowledge.

I still can’t believe Molly has left her friends, family and the space and environmental community she served so well. I shall miss her greatly both personally and professionally.

Molly Macauley was an incredibly intelligent, energetic, and caring person who brought both warmth and rigor to her profession and the space community. While she was the ablest of professionals in the "dismal science" of economics, she was far from dismal herself. She combined the highest professional standards with a sense of joy that touched everyone she met.

Molly was an economist of the first order, whose interests ranged across a wide range of human activities, not just space, but environmental protection, remediation, and conservation as one might expect from her work at Resources for the Future. She had a rare capacity to use the tools of economic analysis to create insights into public policy debates that were vulnerable to wishful thinking and exaggerated claims; whether in assessing the value of information from remote sensing satellites, evaluating alternative space commercialization policies, or the prospects for energy from space.

It seemed particularly apt that much of Molly’s career was at Resources for the Future. Her work focused on ensuring resources for the future, whether natural resources and the Earth’s environment, or the information, resources, and energy potentially available from space. Molly’s work and mentoring created bridges between requirements for rigorous, quantitative analysis and an understanding of the emotional and sometime romantic motivations for space and environmental activities. We are all the poorer for her passing and all the richer for her work.

The tragic and untimely loss of Dr. Molly K. Macauley has resulted in a major loss to the space community as well as to her family and friends. She, literally, dedicated her life to making the world a better place for humankind. The subjects she addressed were ones that had the potential or the ability to clarify important issues regarding natural resources and economics. Molly was the consummate professional. Within the space community, her work was sought out for its unbiased accuracy, completeness, and its ability to make complex subjects intellectually accessible. Molly was one of the kindest, supportive, caring people I have known. She always knew what was important to a person and never failed to make a relevant, positive observation about it. Of all her many, many admirable attributes, one that was most laudable—and heartwarming—was her selfless devotion to mentoring young women. And there were many of them. She served on doctoral and scholarship committees. Molly personally placed students in internships and actively networked women with similar professional interests. No matter how busy she was, Molly was always available for advice and conversations. Over the years, relationships that began as mentorships turned into lasting friendships. Molly will be missed.

In the world of space policy, Molly Macauley was a rarity. She bridged the gap between the dismal science and the celestial one. She brought rigor and methodology to such topics as valuing space-based sensing and communications services, optimizing public funds in spurring technological innovation, balancing risk and regulation, and many other tough problems. She admired the likes of Carl Sagan, whom she considered a "great populizer of science", and Burt Rutan, the peerless aerospace engineer. Between such dreamers and effectuators, she stood as an important intermediary. She sought to make good public policy for space development in an environment of resource scarcity and imperfect knowledge. The space community is poorer for having lost Molly and her talents, but we honor her legacy by using the same clear-eyed approach she used.

Molly was also a mentor to many just starting their careers, and launched many into higher orbits than could have been foreseen for ourselves. When, as a graduate student, I interned at RFF, I half-hoped to be included in her “Acknowledgments” for the paper we were developing. Instead, Molly entrusted me with research and writing, and expected me to rise to the task of being a full co-author. She encouraged me to join her when presenting the deliverable to our sponsor in Paris. Molly was not just all work. She pursued hobbies and encouraged others to also nurture their intellectual curiosity. So as I snapped photos of every Renault dealership (for a management class), Molly photographed every ornate Parisian manhole cover we passed. In this way, we found ourselves in an alleyway brasserie, enjoying the theatrics of the maitre’d over the house “île flottante”. I will remember Molly as a person who lived life fully, knew what was important, believed in the best of humanity, and worked for the betterment of our collective future with the utmost grace, fortitude, intellect, and compassion.

I first met Molly in 1998 when she accepted my invite to participate in a book project I was then leading. Over the years, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Molly on a number of other projects. I wish to pay tribute to her wisdom and kindness. She better understood than most the nature of economics in the space domain, and I learned a great deal from her insights and work. Molly was as well a kind person and expressed in what the ancient Jewish sages have called “acts of loving kindness” in all our professional interactions. This is indeed a rare and tremendous quality that I continue to appreciate.

Molly Macauley was a space policy analyst and economist of note, but she was far, far more than this. She was a person of quality with a deep ethical and moral perspective on life. This is a rare quality and especially so for so skilled of an economist. She always found a way to connect her professional work to the larger political and social issues of our times. The only work of hers that I ever disagreed with was the analysis that found that solar power satellites were unlikely to ever be economic in any reasonable time frame--although clearly she has been right to date. Our world has lost one of the giants of our field and she will be greatly missed.

Joseph N. PeltonMember, International Editorial Board, Space PolicyExecutive Board, International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety and former Dean, International Space University

FROM JOHN LOGSDON

The articles in this special issue demonstrate the range and depth of Molly McCauley’s analytic excellence. But Molly was more than just a first-rate economist and analyst. She was warm, soft-spoken but strong-willed individual, a valued member of the space policy community, and an influential adviser to government and industry. Losing her and her contributions in such a brutal manner is the very definition of a tragedy.

Anyone who had a meaningful interaction with Molly Macauley can cite many instances of personal kindness, support and grace. For those of us fortunate to be her colleagues at RFF, those stories are literally countless. It was just who she was. The personal loss for all of us is devastating.

She was a bold and creative thinker and she was patient with us when sometimes we didn’t get the picture right away. We always came around. She loved RFF and had an unshakeable belief in its mission and in the merit of every person in our organization.

She got great satisfaction out of her day-to-day work but she once told me that she was happiest when she got to spend time with the group of people she affectionately called her “space buddies.”

The “Blue Marble” photo had a transformative impact on her and she took that passion and applied it to the intersection of space policy and our natural world. She contributed a lot to the space policy community but she also received so much back in return both in terms of intellectual excitement and friendship. And I thank her colleagues in that community for that.

I’ve received many messages since Molly’s passing. One of the most common phrases is, “She changed my life.” It’s true for me as well. I have been struggling with the fact that I still can’t believe she's gone. At first, I thought this was simple denial – a coping mechanism - but as I see evidence all around me of the intellectual breakthroughs she made, the institutions she helped build, the disagreements she helped bridge, and most importantly the lives she changed, I realize it’s more than that. In a fundamental sense, she’s not gone. She was a source of good in this world and that endures.

Pete NelsonCommunications Director, Resources for the Future

FROM NANCY COLLETON

Molly Macauley will be remembered for many positive things—her intellect, dedication, kind and supportive nature, warm and professional manner, all of which enabled her to emerge as a leader in our community and advance the understanding of the value of space and Earth observations. For the more than 30 years that I have known Molly, I knew her only on a professional basis—Dr. Macauley, the economist, the PhD from Resources for the Future, who provided economic analysis of the value of Earth observations. She was in a league of her own, but always eager to help and share her knowledge.

My last conversation with Molly in December, however, added something new and very special to the familiarity two colleagues share having worked together for so many years. After advising me on a proposal idea, she sent an email stating, “And you mentioned you hike with your dogs! What kind do you have? I have a Plott hound & a very ancient Weimeraner. “

It's funny how one small comment can open the door and connect us in ways we could never imagine. My comment about hiking with my dogs and Molly’s response led to a special connection between us that I will forever cherish.

“Leo the Plott,” she wrote, “nonplussed in his Halloween ‘land of Lake Roland’ butter wrapper – his dog park is at Lake Roland.”

“Thatcher the Weim packing her toys for a road trip. And bro Leo wishing all the toys were His.”

The pictures and Molly’s comments made me smile then and make me smile now. How grateful I am for this memory.

Kind, generous, supportive, encouraging, fair, ethical, committed, the epitome of professional. These are some of the words that come to mind when I think of how I knew Molly Macauley, my colleague and my friend for 30 years. From the very beginning, with the choice of her dissertation topic, she came to define a study field in space policy – the economics of space activities. Her scholarship was impeccable, her insights valuable. She was a masterful leader, running meetings and projects with close attention to ensuring that everyone had a say, got credit, and made productive use of their time.

After first getting to know Molly, I remember asking Marcia Smith, “Is she really as nice as she seems to be?” I was already used to the aggressive, competitive, self-serving habits of so many people I’d encountered in Washington. Marcia laughed and said, “Yes, she really is that nice.” And of course Marcia was right. I never heard Molly say a harsh word about anybody, and likewise I never heard anybody say a harsh word about her. That’s a notable phenomenon in Washington, D.C.

Over the decades that I knew her, I probably saw Molly only a couple of times a year. But those times were always enriching, enlightening, and fun. As dedicated as she was to her work, Molly did like to laugh. She and I shared an interest in advancing the profile and status of women in the aerospace community, and we both pursued this interest in our daily work and also through Women in Aerospace, which she served in several capacities including chair of WIA’s scholarship committee.

I will miss her keen intellect, her laughter, her smile, her sisterhood.

When I joined the National Research Council as the new director of the Space Studies Board in early 1991, the Board’s portfolio of study projects contained an ambitious effort to analyze and systematize interdisciplinary priority setting across space research. The study panel included prominent researchers as well as diverse public policy experts: Molly was the economist on the team. The panel’s report was published in 1992, advocating space research community participation in prioritization within a broad national goals framework, also recommending a follow-on study to develop and test an implementing process.

On completion of this first study, Molly continued as a member of the follow-on panel to develop a formal structure for advocacy of proposed initiatives and for cross-disciplinary evaluation. Her continued active involvement was very reassuring, in fact critical. During two simulations carried out in 1992, Molly steered consideration of economic value and cost-benefit factors and made major contributions to drafting the final report. Results were vigorously discussed three times by the full Board during 1993, but at its final deliberations, the Board was unable to reach a consensus to recommend full operational application. Although it looked for a moment like the project was unsuccessful, the Board directed that a second report, “Setting Priorities for Space Research: An Experiment in Methodology” (1995), record a full account of the valuable work done and all issues surfaced.

The two reports, published by the National Academy Press, represent a landmark effort in cross-disciplinary research prioritization that must inform any future efforts in this extremely challenging science policy area. I have many times referred interested parties to these slender volumes, recalling with personal gratitude and great admiration Molly’s energy, leadership, collegiality, and expertise. I have deeply valued our warm professional relationship that continued to evolve over the two decades that followed.

Molly served on the AAS Board of Directors continuously since first elected in 2007. From the beginning of her first term until her last meeting with us in June, she took an active interest in the affairs of the Society and willingly volunteered her time and considerable expertise. Whether serving as a member of a special committee or volunteering to judge scholarship applications, Molly took her responsibilities seriously and her advice and recommendations were always appreciated. She particularly enjoyed attending the annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference, and was scheduled to speak at this year’s conference a few days after her unexpected death. For the leadership of AAS, Molly was a respected colleague as well as a valued friend, and she will be most sorely missed.

The Officers, Directors, and Staff of the American Astronautical Society

FROM THE SPACE STUDIES BOARD (SSB) AND AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD (ASEB), U.S. NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Dr. Molly Macauley was a frequent volunteer over the last 27 years for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine—serving on nearly twenty committees and boards and contributing to important policy and technical advisory studies for the government on issues as varied as the scientific uses of the radio spectrum, the challenge of orbital debris in space, the opportunities for international cooperation in the space sciences, and assessments of the opportunities for solar power. As an economist with research interests including space policy, and the intersection of economics and public policy with environmental regulation, climate and Earth science Dr. Macauley brought an unrivaled expertise to the work of the Academies in the importance and impact of science and technology on the citizens of our nation and our world. She was most recently serving on the “decadal survey” study to prioritize the scientific opportunities of our Earth observing system for the decade ahead—a study the Academies is conducting for NASA, NOAA, and USGS and an activity to which Dr. Macauley’s expertise was perfectly matched, in particular because she had an unusually deft way of reminding us all of the human dimensions of science and technology. The publication of the special virtual issue of Space Policy is an appropriate public recognition of a remarkable woman who rose to be a leader in science policy, an adviser to the nation, and a forever generous and caring individual who will be missed terribly.

Statement from the Space Studies Board and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

FROM LEA SHANLEY

I admired Molly for her leadership, intellectual curiosity, and dynamism. She embraced new ideas, technology and inter-disciplinary methods. She took a comprehensive approach to Earth observations, helping us to understand the value of civil and commercial remote sensing as well as citizen-based observations.

I loved Molly for the person she was—kind, compassionate, and genuine. Molly was a tireless mentor and advocate of early and mid-career women, including myself. She served on the scholarship committee for Women in Aerospace. She took many young women under her wing, offering wisdom and positive encouragement, and going the extra mile to recommend them for speaking roles at conferences or connecting them to her network. She also went out of her way to help her friends and neighbors, and support local animal shelters.

Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz introduced me to Molly over dinner one evening eight years ago when I first arrived in Washington, D.C. Over the years, we founded a Space Women monthly dinner together, and met often for tea and chocolate. She would text me photos of her two beloved dogs with funny quips. She was an inspiration and one of my dearest friends. I am infinitely grateful to have known her and will miss her dearly.

Lea ShanleyCo-Executive Director, South Big Data Innovation Hub at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

FROM RICHARD OBERMANN

Molly had that rare combination of professional excellence and humanity that made her a joy to be around. Her views and analyses were always well informed, and she was always open to alternative ways of viewing a problem. Yet what I most remember is the sense of joy and caring that she conveyed in her interactions with people. I brightened my day whenever I had the opportunity to be around her, and I shall really miss her.

Richard ObermannDemocratic Staff Director, House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives

FROM GALE ALLEN

Molly was amazing. I knew her as a professional colleague where her energy and enthusiasm were contagious! She helped advance the value of International Space Station research with her knowledge mapping, which we appreciate very much. But beyond that we were kindred spirits in our love for animals and our passion for rescue dogs. The world has lost a special, caring person.

Gale AllenDeputy Chief Scientist, NASA

FROM LAWRENCE FRIEDL

Many of us knew Molly in many contexts. It would be easy to just list and add up all the roles Molly served across the space, Earth science, economics, natural resources, and still other communities. (It would take a long time, but it would be easy.) But, as we all know, that list wouldn’t do justice to her. It was the way she engaged in the roles and with the people and with the issues. It was how she contributed, quietly discerning key points and then offering succinct, insightful summaries. It was how she could both joyfully laugh and also cogently, aptly, and politely criticize within the same meeting, if not the same hour. I admired her energy and intellect, and her counsel was offered with a grace, poise, and respect. Even though I only saw her occasionally, I enjoyed knowing that Molly was in the world somewhere doing good and guiding people and organizations to do better. There’s now a Molly-shaped hole in the world.

Lawrence FriedlEarth Science Division, NASA

FROM MOLLY BROWN, GEORGE HURTT, AND RILEY DUREN

Molly Macauley contributed enormously to the Earth science community during the past ten years. Through her engagement with NASA and the carbon cycle science community, she expanded our attention from basic research and scientific papers to include developing new applications for remote sensing data products to help meet critical societal needs. In particular she helped focus our community on the value of information for decision makers, government policy experts and the public. This transdisciplinary perspective, although still nascent, has already been extremely important for the scientists and engineers working for NASA and our partners in government, academia, and the private sector.

Applications of satellite data have always been at the forefront of how people around the world view NASA’s Earth science program– from images of forest fire smoke plumes on the evening news, to changes in forest cover, to measurements of the impact of drought on food production. Although these and many comparable applications of remote sensing information have proven extremely important individually, Molly strived to quantify the broader relevance of the information for society and determining if a value could be put on those benefits. Molly’s persistent engagement with the remote sensing science and carbon monitoring community dramatically advanced our awareness of the needs of decision makers. By focusing on the value of satellite information to decision making, the very quality and focus of these research projects have also improved. Through her patience, wisdom, vision, and guidance across multiple programs in NASA, Molly transformed our understanding of how we can advance our science and its relevance to society.

Molly Brown, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland College Park, MD George Hurtt, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland College Park, MDRiley Duren, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA

FROM LAURA DELGADO LÓPEZ

Dr. Macauley's research examined questions about the societal value of space activities and technologies beyond the emotional or the ideological dimension. This made her a trusted communicator and advocate both within and outside of the space community. But beyond her many and well-known scientific contributions, Molly also inspired admiration through her informal mentorship of women in the field. I am among those who benefitted from her quiet but ready support - whether through words of encouragement or substantive feedback - and who, in testament to her approachable nature as a role model, she treated like a peer from day one.

Laura Delgado LópezColleague and friend

FROM ANGELA PHILLIPS DIAZ

Three words come to mind when I think of Molly: intellect, generosity, and kindness. Her intellect is recognized in so many endeavors: Resources for the Future, the National Academies, Johns Hopkins. She demonstrated a special talent of presenting a compelling perspective no matter the topic that made us stop, think, and consider. Her generosity of time and talent was unlimited. She spoke adoringly of her RFF team and what joy it brought her to work with them sharing her ideas and expertise so that all would excel and succeed. Likewise, she chaired the Women In Aerospace Scholarship Committee for several years bringing rigor and structure to a process that allowed all Committee members to express their views and resulted in the selection of extraordinary young women just beginning their career journey in aerospace. She took particular delight in giving back and nurturing this next generation. Finally, her kindness knew no bounds. She had a presence even an aura that was peaceful, mindful, and ever present in the moment. She always made me want to be a better person. Her legacy is the impact she had through her work and her passions. And for those of us who had the privilege to be her friend, we can continue her legacy by emulating her intellect, her generosity, and her kindness in our own unique way. God speed Molly.

Angela Phillips DiazExecutive Director, Government Research Relations, University of California San Diego

FROM HENRY HERTZFELD

I met Molly over 30 years ago and have collaborated with her many times on economic studies of space and especially on issues relating to earth observations and remote sensing. Our approaches to analyzing these issues were sometimes different, but that made it all the more fun as it generated a healthy and very useful dialogue. I always had great respect for her insights, hard work and technical expertise. I will also miss her very pleasant manner and thoughtful suggestions, as will the entire community. The senseless and incomprehensible event leading to her recent death is a reminder of the many things that can happen to anyone that are hard to imagine and even harder to absorb.

About 5 years ago, Molly briefed me and others at NASA on her economic analysis of potential changes in the Earth's climate in the future. Molly enchanted us all with her comprehensive, thoughtful, and innovative approach. She talked about what the economic impact might be if society implemented more renewable energy technologies and better Earth observation sensors. She discussed issues that are emotionally and politically charged in a simple yet elegant manner. That is how I remember Molly--brilliant, elegant, well-spoken, analytical, and innovative.

Molly modeled these traits to all of us. In particular, she mentored and inspired those early in their space policy careers. Her work on the Women in Aerospace organization to establish scholarships has benefited many. Her outreach and connection with early career women and men has helped them navigate through challenges and has shown them opportunities. Molly has inspired me to also work with those early in their careers. Thank you Molly for all you have done. We will miss you.

Rebecca Keiser
Head, Office of International Science and Engineering, National Science Foundation

FROM DEBRA FACKTOR LEPORE

Molly was my friend and colleague for longer than I can remember (or will admit!). She was extremely smart, insightful, and generous, with a graceful and gentle spirit. I can still hear her lovely voice and see her kind eyes and engaging smile. She treated everyone with respect and, whether you were close with her or not, she made you feel like the most important person and became your trusted friend and partner. Her calm demeanor was a great counter to the chaos and political noise of Washington, and, as such, helped guide others toward understanding, compromise and resolution. Molly’s desire to give was much greater than her need to receive. She served as a mentor to her friends and many young professionals and supported them (us!) in our lives and our career journeys. Our work together as members of the International Women’s Forum Washington D.C. Forum and on the board of the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Foundation was inspiring and delightful. She reviewed every scholarship application, carefully considering each one, and finding the perfect fit every time. Considered the expert in space economics, Molly consistently provided objective analyses and cataloged economic impacts that influenced society’s understanding of our planet’s physical condition. She let her research stand for itself, with inherently objective, trusted, and incredibly compelling results. Her work helped validate Ball Aerospace’s continued dedication and focus on the design, manufacture, and analytics of space-based environmental intelligence systems that contribute to human security. At the end of the day, whether Molly knew it or not, her work championed the contribution of environmental intelligence for the benefit of humanity. She brought joy and hope to every day and every moment. She will be truly missed from this world. I miss her.

Molly and I were contemporaries in the Washington, D.C. space policy community, although my career began somewhat before hers. I clearly remember meeting her shortly after she began working at Resources for the Future – an organization I had not encountered previously – and was immediately struck by her enthusiasm. The early 1980s were a heady time in space policy, an era when space commercialization was expected to blossom with the advent of the space shuttle and what was expected to be routine and comparatively low cost access to space. The need for economists focusing on the utilization of space was evident and there were few at the time.

Space commercialization took longer to hit its stride than expected, but Molly never lost that enthusiasm. Nor did she lose her determination to apply sound economic analysis to proffered ideas, regardless of whose features might be ruffled. Molly mentored many up-and-coming professionals, including economists. Hopefully her work will carry on, but to say that she left big shoes to fill is an understatement. Her expertise will be sorely missed by the space policy community and her warm heart by all who knew her.

Given my immense admiration for Dr Macauley, one can imagine what it felt like to become Editor in Chief of Space Policy in 2013, with her a valued member of the Editorial Board. In keeping with the stellar theme: I was star struck. I was genuinely nervous when I first had reason to email her, asking advice about an article that had been submitted to the journal. It makes me smile now to remember that she wrote back with excellent advice but also a notable kindness. With that first email exchange she became in my mind not only a role model and colleague, but a friend. She effused support for me as I entered into what I confess was a still-daunting role, and her reassurance was incredibly motivating. She continued to be an asset and a support to me in my role as Editor in Chief, for which I was and will always be grateful. Meeting her for the first time in Toronto in 2014 was a strange combination of encountering someone that I remained a bit in awe of…and finally meeting face to face a comfortable friend.

Molly’s cosmic light has been extinguished, leaving the world of those who survive her a little bit darker. As we grieve the loss of a friend, so we celebrate her research. Her contributions to our field and our lives was and will always remain, celestial.

Jill Stuart

Editor-in-Chief
Space Policy

Special Issue compiling Dr. Molly Macauley’s papers published in Space Policy (all papers have been made freely available until the end of December 2016)